Application Process | Students

 

Columbia Residential is excited to welcome students into the University’s housing community. To be considered for housing, students must submit an application through the Housing Portal. Once approved, students will receive a housing selection appointment, during which they may view and choose from available units for which they are eligible across Columbia Residential’s inventory.

Columbia Residential offers separate Fall and Spring housing applications, both of which follow the same application and selection process at different points in the academic year.

Students seeking summer housing should apply through the Fall housing application and follow the same process and timeline outlined in the Important Dates section

Important Information

  • Each application is valid only for the academic year in which it is submitted.
  • Applicants can check the status of their application anytime in the Housing Portal.
  • Current Columbia Residential residents are not eligible to submit a new application until they have vacated their current unit and the vacancy has been processed.
  • A student may only be listed as a resident in one University apartment at a time, either as the primary resident or as the partner of a resident.
  • Specific unit types are not guaranteed, as demand often exceeds availability. Students are encouraged to keep an open mind and consider a variety of unit types and locations to increase their chances of securing housing.
  • While Columbia Residential understands the value of living with a preferred roommate, housing with a specific roommate cannot be guaranteed due to varying eligibility requirements, selection timelines, and limited availability of fully vacant units. Students may review the Preferred Roommate guidelines for details.

Eligible students may apply for housing by completing the following steps in the Housing Portal:

  1. Activate Your Columbia UNI
    Applications are available only to students who have accepted their offer of admission and activated their University Network ID (UNI).
  2. Log Into the Housing Portal
    Students can log in with their UNI and University ID number (beginning with “C”). New students will find this number in their acceptance materials or in Student Services Online (SSOL).
  3. Complete the Housing Application
    Applicants should carefully complete all required fields, including School, Degree, and Expected Graduation Date. Inaccurate or incomplete information may cause delays or impact eligibility. As part of the application:
  • Students are encouraged to review accommodations and thoughtfully consider whether a shared apartment aligns with their needs and preferences.
  • Applicants may indicate a preference for Gender Neutral Housing. Most units are gender-neutral, and students can review the Gender Neutral Housing guidelines to see if this option is right for them.
  1. Pay the Administrative Processing Fee (if applicable)
  • A $20 administrative processing fee will take effect on July 1, 2025. Applications submitted before this date will not be charged.
  • Each new application requires a separate fee.
  • If housing is no longer needed, students should withdraw their application in the Housing Portal or contact Columbia Residential so the space may be offered to another student.

Columbia Residential provides housing based on allocations assigned to each Columbia University school. Individual schools—not Columbia Residential—determine which students receive housing approvals. Students should contact their school's housing liaison for information on approval priorities, the application process, and expected decision timelines.

  • School-Allocated: Approved applicants will receive the decision during the housing allocation period.
    • For specific date ranges, please refer to the "Important Dates" section on the Application Process for Student Housing page.
    • Students approved by their school who do not select a unit during their appointment, those who select and then decline a unit, and those who defer admission must submit a new application to reenter the selection process.
  • Open-Selection: Students who are not approved for housing by their school, or who apply later in the cycle, may still have the opportunity to secure housing for the academic year through the Open Selection process.
  • Spring Admits: Students admitted for Spring term may apply for housing beginning on October 1 and participate in the Open Selection process. To be approved for a housing allocation, Spring admits will need to submit an affiliation review request. 

Once approved for Columbia Residential housing, students will receive an email confirming their housing selection appointment. During this appointment window, students may log into the Housing Portal to:

  • View available units for which they are eligible
  • Select an apartment
  • Choose an available move-in date

To learn more about what to expect, students are encouraged to visit the Housing Selection page..